Air Pollution and Its Impact on Fertility in Men and Women

Air pollution is increasingly becoming a major concern, especially in highly populated cities like Lahore and New Delhi, where air quality has reached dangerous levels. While factors like stress, poor diets, obesity, and diabetes have long been known to affect fertility, air pollution is now emerging as another significant contributor to reproductive health problems.

Dehli smog. Image via The Hindu.

Recent data revealed that Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a record level of 1,067, the highest in the world, despite efforts like "green lockdowns" to improve air quality. These elevated pollution levels pose a serious threat, not only to our lungs and skin but also to fertility. Studies show that exposure to pollutants like particulate matter (PM), toxic chemicals, and heavy metals can severely affect both male and female fertility.